KALAMAZOO, Mich.- Rene Haynes
has stepped down from her assistant coach position at Western Michigan
to join the women's basketball coaching staff as an assistant at Duke.

Haynes has spent the past two years as an assistant at Western Michigan under head coach Shane Clipfell,
where she assisted in recruiting, player development, equipment
coordination and summer camps. Haynes specifically worked with the
Bronco point guards, implementing individual and team workouts, to
improve guard production.

At Duke, Haynes will be reunited with
her former college coach, Joanne P. McCallie. Haynes played for McCallie
at Michigan State from 2003-07, before McCallie took the head job at
Duke. As a sophomore in 2005, Haynes helped the Spartans to a Big Ten
regular season Championship, Big Ten Tournament Championship and
National Championship game appearance.

"It’s a sad day and a
happy day at the same time," Clipfell said. "Rene is a terrific person
and coach, and we knew it would only be a matter of time before she
continued her ascend in this profession.

"Duke is getting a complete package with their hire and she will be
embraced by the entire campus. Part of our jobs as head coaches is to
help prepare assistants to advance if they choose to do so and I’m
pleased that Rene has been able to do that."

“I am thankful to head coach Shane Clipfell
for giving me the opportunity to learn and develop under his leadership
for the past two years. Thank you so much for accepting me as part of
the Western Michigan family. I will always have P4 in my heart, to have a
Purpose, Passion, always Persevere, and have Pride in anything I do.

"Coach Clipfell has been a coach, a mentor, and very supportive of my
decision to join the Duke University women’s basketball program and it
is greatly appreciated. I have really enjoyed my time here and I will
always cherish the family and friends that I have made. I will always be
a proud alumni and a Bronco.”

While at Western Michigan, Haynes earned a master's degree in sports
management. She also holds a bachelor's degree in political science from
Michigan State.

Haynes' resignation at Western Michigan is effective immediately. Clipfell has begun a nationwide search to fulfill the opening.